Among various methods civic bodies across the State adopt for solid waste disposal, micro composting centres is the most common one as these can be decentralised. But, this method has run into stiff protests from the public. Stating that foul smell emanates from the garbage dump and flies that feed on the waste enter the residential colonies, people want the composting centres closed.
To find a solution, the Salem Corporation is being assisted by researchers who have developed a special type of microbes that can cut the waste-to-manure process period by less than half the time taken now.
Handling 350 tonnes of waste every day from 60 wards, it is implementing a project to put up 36 micro composting centres. Of these 11 have been built and eight began functioning recently. But, the Corporation has been facing widespread protests at various areas against the composting centres, with people fearing that these pose health hazards.
As for the special microbes developed by Salem Microbes, D. Ramesh Kumar and Vijay Anand of the organisation say that when sprayed on bio-degradable waste the microbes can convert it into manure in 28-33 days, compared to at least to 60-90 days without these microbes. Thus, garbage will not rot, cause a stench or attract flies.
A senior Corporation official says only symbiotic bacteria are used and these do not cause any health hazard. The conservancy workers at the composting centres undergo a health check-up every three months, and they are all normal, he said. By this method, 40 per cent of every five tonnes of waste is converted into manure, he said.
Corporation Commissioner R. Sadheesh says the objective behind the establishing of micro composting centres is to reduce the amount of waste taken to Chettichavadi dump yard.